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1 John 1:9
10/5/20261 min read
Perfect Day, Saints!
When the spiritual leader of my old church introduced the idea that believers do not need to confess their sins—claiming 1 John 1:9 was written only to unbelievers—I immediately looked at the front row.
Sitting there was a pastor senior in age, who had actually been the spiritual leader's pastor in a previous church, even giving him Bible verses to memorize during his Navy stint in National Service.
I thought to myself, "What must he be thinking (of this)?" Even then, I instinctively understood that this was a controversial statement.
Years later, the Holy Spirit led me to read 1 John 1 for myself, and I simply couldn't be persuaded that it was meant for non-believers.
So in 2023, when I heard the spiritual leader repeat from the pulpit that confession of sins is not for the believer, my spirit completely rebelled. I had to walk out right then during the first morning service.
My husband asked where I was going, and I just told him I was going to get breakfast, leaving him inside. As I sat eating, I contemplated how I was going to manage leaving the church and its doctrine while still trying to hold onto my care group.
I resolved (erroneously) that they should never know my true thoughts, because I desperately wanted to remain a part of my Christian community.
Stay on course in Jesus Christ, amen?
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:6-9 KJV)